ROME – Italy’s Ministry of Justice has announced that more than 10,000 prisoners may qualify for early release under alternative sentencing programs such as house arrest or probation, to ease the country’s severely overcrowded prison system.
In a statement issued late Tuesday, the ministry said 10,105 inmates are “potentially eligible” for alternative measures. The criteria include prisoners whose convictions are final, with less than two years remaining on their sentences, and no serious disciplinary violations in the past year.
However, serious offenders – including those convicted of terrorism, organized crime, rape, human trafficking, and kidnapping – will not be considered for early release, the ministry clarified.
Italy has one of Europe’s highest prison overcrowding rates, with a 122% occupancy level, according to the World Prison Brief database. Any rate above 100% indicates prisons are housing more inmates than their designed capacity. Only Cyprus, France, and Turkey have higher rates in Europe.
The issue of prison conditions has gained national attention following a surge in inmate suicides and growing concerns over extreme summer heat in non-air-conditioned detention facilities.
Still, the Justice Ministry emphasized that early releases will not happen immediately. A task force has been formed to coordinate with prison authorities and parole judges. The group will meet weekly and provide progress updates by September.
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